These weather-resistant choices for floors and walls will hold up without compromising on style

New Orleans architect Lee Ledbetter equips his outside spaces with materials that combine both beauty and brawn

Q: How challenging is it to design spaces for outdoor living in a city like New Orleans?

A: More so than in many other places. In our subtropical climate, the heat and humidity factor into the design. For instance, because brick walls and patios absorb heat, I choose light-color or painted brick to deflect the sun and place darker brick or granite pavers in shady spots. My favorite brick is from Louisiana's St. Joe Brick Works, which has been in operation since the 19th century. I love the brick's soft colors and the wood-molded texture. Light-color stone pavers--travertine, limestone, cast stone--are also a great material for outdoor living. The sound of water splashing in a small fountain makes you feel cooler and blocks the noise of the neighbor's dog. Finally, open-ended covered porches take advantage of breezes while affording more views of the garden.

Q: What are some of your favorite outdoor materials?

A: Bateig Blue limestone from Portugal is denser than American limestones and therefore more stain resistant. American Hydrotech makes an attractive and effective watertight deck system for exterior roof gardens. For those who can't afford mahogany, one of the only woods that stands up to our climate, James Hardie's new line of Artisan Lap siding offers deep shadows and the ability to miter corner boards for a more monolithic look. If you can't live with the "patina" of wine and food spills, Luserna Grigio Roc porcelain tile is a great-looking substitute for stone.

Q: Are there additional surfaces to consider outdoors?

A: Yes--don't forget plants and the swimming pool. Clipped greenery creates a restful mood and ensures privacy if used at garden and property perimeters. Here in New Orleans, I use fragrant vegetation like sweet olive, Confederate jasmine, and ginger lily. Also important is the inside surface of a pool. Dark plaster pools are hot in the summer and don't glow when lit at night. There is nothing like diving into the turquoise water of a white plaster pool. It's an experience right out of a David Hockney painting.

"Wood surfaces are usually my favorite material to use outdoors. They add visual warmth to any space and stay comfortable in hot weather. For Courteney Cox's Malibu home, we used sustainably harvested tropical hardwoods, which stand up to outside conditions. A fire pit was surrounded in teak, and the decking was in ipe."